Rumour Mill: Rangers agm | Celtic Norwood bid

Rangers' AGM will be held tomorrow. Picture: TSPL

Rangers board will stay on due to backing at agm

The power struggle at Rangers looks to be over for the time being after reports last night that the current Ibrox board has won enough support by proxy ahead of tomorrow’s agm to remain in control of the club.

Shareholders including former chairman Malcolm Murray and former director Paul Murray had been seeking election to the board. They formed a group known as the requisitioners along with Scott Murdoch and Alex Wilson. However, the status quo is set to remain in place with yesterday’s deadline for sending proxy votes having now passed.

Figures indicate that chairman David Somers, chief executive Graham Wallace and three directors – under-fire financial director Brian Stockbridge, non-executive director Norman Crighton and James Easdale, will remain in situ after tomorrow’s meeting with a tranche of institutional investors having already voted in favour of the current board. These include Laxey Partners, Artemis and Zeus, with the support understood to be worth nearly 60 per cent of the voting share. (Scotsman)

Paul Murray furious at agm vote leak

Paul Murray has defied claims that tomorrow’s agm is already a lost cause for the group he intends to lead into the eye of a stormy meeting. He called for fans to turn up and ignore reports that proxy votes from investors have rendered the revolt, led by the former Ibrox director, futile.

“Our reaction to these unconfirmed reports is one of great surprise and dismay. Surprise because the proxy votes were only completed earlier today. Dismay because this leak to the BBC is a clear and serious breach of stock market regulations.

“If it has been leaked it can only have come from one of two places. Capita, who are collating the votes, or or the Rangers board itself. Either way this is very unprofessional and we will be looking into it with our legal team this morning.” (Daily Record)

Celtic target Huddersfield’s Oliver Norwood

Neil Lennon is reportedly considering a bid for Huddersfield Town playmaker Oliver Norwood. After being frustrated in their attempts to capture team-mate James Vaughan, Celtic have turned their attentions to Northern Ireland midfielder Norwood.

Norwood, a former Manchester United player, has been capped 14 times by his country. The 22-year-old is under contract until 2015, but only has one year remaining on his deal with the English Championship side. (The Sun)

Butcher: ‘I don’t want to see Vincent Lunny again’

Terry Butcher stressed how relieved he is now that his disciplinary saga is at an end following partial victory in yesterday’s appeal against a two-match dug-out ban.

It means the Hibernian manager must sit in the stand for this weekend’s home fixture against St Johnstone but he has had a £1000 fine quashed.

Butcher could not decide who was happier about the quashing of the fine – him or his wife, Rita. “I can buy Rita a better Christmas present than she was getting before,” he smiled. “I can also go shopping on Saturday now. Rita will be delighted with the result of the hearing.” (Scotsman)

Neil Alexander launches legal battle against Rangers

Neil Alexander is considering taking Rangers to court over a breach of contract. The 35-year-old, who left Rangers for Crystal Palace in the summer, has sought legal advice and PFA Scotland are also involved.

The dispute centres around a clause that would have given Alexander a wage rise and a higher appearance fee after Allan McGregor’s departure. (Daily Express)

Gennaro Gattuso would ‘kill himself’ over match-fixing allegations

Former AC Milan and Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, one of the key players in Italy’s World Cup-winning team in 2006, has protested his innocence after he was placed under investigation for match-fixing as a widening inquiry into football corruption targeted Milan’s last title campaign.

Gattuso said he was “angry and offended”. “This stuff is absurd and incredible,” Gattuso told SportMediaset TV. “I don’t even know what it means to fix a match, I wouldn’t know where to start. Let’s see what happens now but I’m certain that everything will be cleared up.”

He added: “If something was proven I would be willing to go out into the street and, I know this is a strong thing to say, I would kill myself.” (Scotsman, Daily Record)

IN BRIEF

• Kenny Miller is expected to stay with Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps, putting the brakes on a third spell with Rangers. Coach Carl Robinson said he had spoken to Miller and anticipates seeing him for pre-season training in the New Year. (Herald)

• Peterhead manager Jim McInally has been given a four match ban - for denying a referee his dinner. McInally had reportedly asked match officials twice not to eat in the same area as players, reportedly fearing a misconduct charge for comments players might make to them after a fraught League Two game between East Stirling last month that ended 1-1. McInally’s second approach is the one believed to have left referees unimpressed. (Daily Record)